Vancouver Island chef becomes finalist in international cooking competition

Ten of Canada’s top young chefs are heading to Toronto later this month for the regional finals of the S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition.

Chefs will compete for the chance to be named the Canadian representative in the competition’s Grand Finale in October 2025 in Milan, Italy

Stefan Armand is the only B.C. finalist and says it feels really cool to represent his home and Vancouver Island.

“It really gives me a chance to show what the island’s got, because I really think it’s such a unique climate here,” said Armand. “You can really grow some absolutely astounding produce and there is some amazing fish, and Canadian fish, I think, is some of the best in the world.”

The signature dish he will be presenting at the competition will be Vancouver Island rockfish four ways with croquettes. He says the dish is zero waste and he will be using different parts of the fish in his dishes. Armand says he has a passion for zero-waste cooking, and even his family is playing a part.

“Even the plateware is actually made by my sister. She’s a ceramicist out of Berkeley, California, and she has done all the plateware using 100 per cent recycled clay.”

Armand adds he hopes this competiton also lights a fire under him.

“With the way everything’s going and inflation rising and prices going up, I think zero waste is a way to do more with a lot less.”

The regional finals will be on Oct. 23 and include competitors from Ontario and Quebec.